Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing in gusty crosswind conditions.
NTSB analysis
Prior to landing, the pilot overflew the airport to determine the wind direction, but all he saw was a limp wind sock. During the landing, the airplane encountered an 80-degree, gusting crosswind and the airplane ground looped. The airplane's fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane and said the accident could have been prevented if he had made a low pass over the runway to determine the wind direction and speed prior to landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA521 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 20, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Jamestown, North Dakota
- Nearest airport
- Jamestown Regional Airport (JMS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built GS-2
- N-number
- N343A
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.